The number of people who have died from Lassa fever in Nigeria has risen to 263 this year, while the number of confirmed cases recorded between January and September reached 1,115, according to health authorities.

Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) Jide Idris said Lassa fever continues to spread across the country, reporting that 1,115 confirmed cases had been detected during the first nine months of the year and 263 people had lost their lives to the disease.

According to the NCDC report covering the period of September 14-20, the case fatality rate (CFR) of Lassa fever increased to 23.6 per cent.

The rate stood at 18.5 per cent during the same period last year, when Nigeria recorded 906 confirmed cases and 168 deaths.

Health authorities said the disease has been reported across 24 states and 119 local government areas, with the states of Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, Benue and Edo accounting for the majority of confirmed cases.

Delayed treatment increases risks

NCDC officials warned that late hospital presentation remains one of the major factors contributing to the high death rate among Lassa fever patients.

The health agency urged people experiencing symptoms such as fever, weakness, headache, muscle pain, vomiting or other warning signs to seek medical attention as early as possible.

The highest number of infections has been recorded among people aged 21 to 30, according to health authorities.

Officials stressed that early diagnosis and timely treatment significantly improve the chances of survival, while delayed medical care increases the risk of severe complications.

Disease remains a public health concern

Lassa fever is a viral disease that can spread from animals to humans, mainly through contact with food or household items contaminated by the urine or faeces of infected rodents.

The disease can also spread from person to person through contact with the bodily fluids of an infected individual and may lead to severe illness, including haemorrhagic fever and death.

Nigeria has continued to face recurring Lassa fever outbreaks, with health authorities carrying out surveillance and public awareness campaigns to limit transmission.

The Nigerian government declared Lassa fever a public health emergency on January 23, 2019, following repeated outbreaks and the continued spread of the disease.

NCDC has advised citizens to maintain proper hygiene, keep food stored safely, avoid contact with rodents and seek medical care immediately if symptoms appear.

In 2025, a total of 190 people died from Lassa fever in Nigeria, highlighting the continued public health challenge posed by the disease.(ILKHA)